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24.8.219.14
HiI'd sure like to have more shelf space in the basement listening room/office/computer area. I contemplate the 12-16 linear feet of classical records that I picked up mostly at thrifts and similar discount source 8 or 10 yrs ago when I had more time for such things. Back when I'd listen to three versions of a specific Mozart concerto or Beethoven symphony by different artists just for kicks. I must have 10 versions of "Rites of Spring". Now, I haven't played one of them in years.
Has anyone here in similar circumstances whittled-down their classical collection to just a few hundred(!) lps and actually later regretted it?
I'm thinking that I can always pick up more stuff later if I lighted-up now.
Follow Ups:
Really? Only 10? The mind reels at the impoverishment, the self-denial! How do you manage?
"Has anyone here in similar circumstances whittled-down their classical collection to just a few hundred(!) lps and actually later regretted it?"Years ago, I whittled down 8,000+ LPs to a bit over 2,000. I did it by (1) having a really good listening buddy whose taste I trusted, (2) having weekly listening sessions of 4 hours+ at which I would sample multiple performances of the same work, (3) commenting, questioning and/or arguing with listening buddy regarding same and (4) getting rid of performances that didn't pass muster either in performance quality and/or sonics. The reason for having a friend is simple--without him around to say helpful things like "Well, THAT sucks..." or "Fabulous recording!", I could all too easily lapse into a mindset of "Hmmm, I do like that one bass drum attack in the first movement, so maybe I should hold onto it after all." Yeah, it takes time. But I highly recommend the long road of comparison listening as a way to cull; it saves many regrets and it'll teach you a lot about music and performance practice and about your personal taste. I've found it very rewarding.
"I'm thinking that I can always pick up more stuff later if I lighted-up now."
Beware. I did the same thing...and as a result of the earlier culling process, I'd learned what performers and recordings were really worth looking for. Thus, my 2,000 LPs have once again grown to nearly 3,000--only this time it'll be even harder to cull, since there are FAR fewer stinkers. Meanwhile, my wife is giving me those dirty "when are you gonna get rid of all that vinyl?" looks...
Good luck,
Dirk
z
I followed your advice and picked up some good Epic gold label Szell LP's, some disappointing though (Dvorak New World copy not good). I agree with your post, but that's the absolute ideal situation of all (friend who knows and 4 hours each!!!).
Hi docw."I followed your advice and picked up some good Epic gold label Szell LP's, some disappointing though (Dvorak New World copy not good)."
Does that mean (1) you don't like the performance? (2) you like the performance but the transfer doesn't seem impressive sound-wise? (3)performance & transfer are OK but the specific copy/pressing you got was flawed/noisy as hell?
Gold radial Epics are frustrating: they're so-o-o wonderful IF you can find them in pristine shape, but even mint vinyl of that era seemed to have sonic grit built in. The blue label Epics generally have much quieter vinyl, but the transfers seem to be ever-so-slightly less impressive overall.
As for the Szell Dvorak, I may have already conveyed this story: I had all but given up on ever finding a sonically great copy on Epic until I chanced upon an unopened (!) copy. Back then, they left the jackets unwrapped and packed the LP in a sealed plastic inner sleeve with zip-open edge. When I saw this, it was like finding a unicorn. Though Szell's version still isn't my favorite (I like Horenstein, Stokowski and Kubelik as well or better), the sonics were so superior to Columbia pressings that I found myself positively reevaluating the performance...and this particular Epic remains a prize of my collection.
So keep searching, and good luck.
Dirk
as I know really well Szell's interpretations of major works. I got a German pressed in Austria redbook of the New World, and it's disgusting. Some engineer had tried to "filter" the violins and strings. Sounded literally like blankets esp in loud passages.I saved your post on the Beethoven 9th.
I agree that Gold Epics can be gritty. I got a really nice Emperor with Fleisher, but must try the newer cleaning ways. Overall, beautiful copy. Blue Epics are what my family collected for years, and I have time to time visits and access. Mom says, "take them all."
Brother looks with a bit of a scowl.Have you sampled the SACD of New World coupled with 8th?
"I got a really nice Emperor with Fleisher, but must try the newer cleaning ways. Overall, beautiful copy."I'm jealous. I'm STILL trying to find a mint Beethoven 4th concerto with Fleisher/Szell--that's my favorite performance out of all the cycle, though I do love the others, as well.
Cheers,
Dirk
while the others are 1961, I believe. I love that set and grew up listening to them as a teen. We have most of the set in family's collection. Blue Epics. Still considered very highly.I picked up a noisy but Goldmine visually vg plus looking gold Epic LP (mono one) Emperor at a local used record vendor (his first classical LP ever, he's a rock guy). Then a mint gold stereo came up on ebay auction and I won it (incl. Walter's Beethoven 4/5-scratched, Brahms 1st symphony and Beethoven 4/Mozart 25 with Szell/Clev. and Casals and others on Archduke Philips black label--99 cents ea plus bundled shipping). The Walter disc is worn and scratched (6 eye), the PC 4/25 is a bit dull sounding and somewhat worn, but surfaces are ok, and the Emperor and Brahms are great sounding and VG surface wise. There is a subtle grit on these albums which might come off with (uh, oh) Spray and Wash.
if you're a classical lover, there is probably no finer way of listening to these. I know I will get flack if I post on the digital or SACD or even general asylums, but on vinyl, folks will agree.I left the hobby for over 10 years, now back into it for almost 3. wow, never knew my carefully collected 500 or so LP's had that much music. I now listen 90% to analog again, and do compare various versions. See the recent Beethoven 5th thread for my discussions of the varied versions.
...along with couple (only couple) of nice classical gems. Most of the rest is just a crap to be shipped to Thrift Store. How many Brahms Symphony No.1 do you have?
Hey Albino,
THis neew format is a pain, but then Rod M is a noms...
Box Set: The Four Symphonies, Tragic Overture/BP/Karajan DG
Box Set: The Four Symphonies, Tragic & Academic Overtures/PO/Otto Klemperer EMI
Symphonies 1 – 4/Sir Adrian Boult (4LP) A3 Marble/m/sh
Symphony 1, 2, 4/NBCSO/Toscanini A3 RCA
Symphony 1/PO/Otto Klemperer 33CX A3 Columbia/m/sh
Symphony 1/BP/Wilhelm Furtwangler A2 DG/m/sh
I can't get enough of Brahms 1.
Enjoy
FW
I sure as heck didn't give away anything prized and that I 'might' want to hear again! Oddly enuf (or not) my CD collection now greatly exceeds my old LP collection before culling. Beware, collecting is a disease! :-)
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